Hughes OH-6 Cayuse

JGSDF OH-6D Loach

The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOH—Light Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. The helicopter derives its name from the Cayuse people. Hughes Helicopters also developed the Model 369 as a civilian helicopter, and the Hughes Model 500, currently produced by MD Helicopters as the MD 500.

Overview

In Japan, 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Japanese Coast Guard, and civilian operators. Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were being replaced by the Kawasaki OH-1 observation helicopter.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 2 seated passengers or 4 on the floor with rear seats folded/removed
• Length: 30 ft 3.75 in (9.2393 m) including rotors
• Height: 8 ft 1.5 in (2.477 m) to top of rotor hub
• Empty weight: 1,229 lb (557 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 61.5 US gal (51 imp gal; 233 l) in two 50% self-sealing bladder tanks under rear cabin floor
• Powerplant: 1 × Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft engine, 317 shp (236 kW) de-rated to:
  • 252.5 shp (188 kW) for take-off
  • 214.5 shp (160 kW) maximum continuous

• Main rotor diameter: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
• Main rotor area: 544.63 sq ft (50.598 m²)
• Blade section: - NACA 0012

Performance

• Cruise speed:
  • 130 kn (150 mph, 240 km/h) maximum at sea level
  • 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) for maximum range at sea level

• Never exceed speed: 130 kn (150 mph, 240 km/h) at Sea Level
• Range: 330 nmi (380 mi, 610 km) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m)
• Ferry range: 1,354 nmi (1,558 mi, 2,508 km) with 1,300 lb (590 kg) of fuel
• Service ceiling: 15,800 ft (4,800 m)
• Hover ceiling OGE: 7,300 ft (2,225 m)
• Hover ceiling IGE: 11,800 ft (3,597 m)
• Rate of climb: 2,067 ft/min (10.50 m/s)
• Disk loading: 4.4 lb/sq ft (21 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.105 shp/lb (0.173 kW/kg)

Armament

• Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62 mm (0.300 in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher

Service History in the New World

Although the helicopter is still in service and being replaced by the OH-1 Ninja, they are not deployed by the JSDF outside Japan in its battles in the New World as they uses the newer Ninja and the heavier AH-1S Cobra Attack Helicopters and AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters. Instead, the remaining units are used for training and defense.